The World's Oldest Person Lives in Los Angeles

Los Angeles nursing home resident Gertrude Baines has inherited the title of the Oldest Person in the World at the tender age of 114. Her predecessor, a 115-year-old Portuguese woman died recently, leaving "officials" to locate and proclaim the next in line. Born in 1894 in Georgia, Baines reportedly has spent most of her life in Ohio, but now lives at the Western Convalescent Home. Although she uses a wheelchair and suffers from arthritis, Baines is described as healthy and mentally sharp--indeed, Baines cast her vote for Barack Obama in November's historic election. So did fellow Californian George Francis, who had been, up until his death last week, the oldest man in the U.S.

What's the secret to living past 110? Well, it's not about smoking, diet, or body fat. According to UCLA's Dr. Stephen Coles, as quoted in the Daily News: "The thing that does seem to matter is that [those who live past 110] `chose' their parents wisely. It's in the genes. It's in the DNA."